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438 Correspondence of Governor Sharpe.
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ers; many of these Villains are Papists and Fellows of aban-
doned Principles; the Indians are easily alarmed and imposed
on by plausible storys, and while we have so many Armaments
on foot round them, will be extreamly prone to Suspicion. I
hope you will endeavour to get those Fellows apprehended
that may be harbouring on the Susquahannah, for I don't doubt
but they may greatly contribute to draw upon us the Hostili-
ties of the Delawares and Shawonese. Sir William Iohnson
has this further account in his Letter that I judge highly proper
to inform you of Viz: A Delaware Indian who was at the Lake
with me last year, came here yesterday, he tells me he was
lately at Tiahoga and Otsiningo, upon the Susquahannah, that
he thinks the Indians at Tiaogo are (to use his own words) but
badly inclined towards the English Interest, That a great Man
a Delaware Indian came while he was there from the Ohio in
order to seduce the Indians upon the Susquahannah to leave
that part of the Country and go and live upon the Ohio and
join the French against the English, he told them that there
was a great Number of the French and Indians there, having
3 Gunsmiths constantly at work making and repairing of Arms
and that great preparations are on foot to make a descent
upon some of the English Colonies, the Ohio Indians applied
to this Informant, and persuaded him to go and join the French
and he woud become a great Warrior, Our Indian told him,
he was a Warrior already and the Coat he had on his back,
he had taken from a French Indian who he had killed last year
at Lake George upon which the Ohio Indian he says seem'd
disconcerted, and sorry he had spoke so plain before him. " I
have also had some private conversation with a Seneca Sachem
called Old Belt, who came with the half King from the South-
ward, I find him to be a very sedate sencible Man and warmly
attached to our Interest, I asked him his opinion about the
Western Indians coming to Oswego this Year, he told me he
was well acquainted with those Indians, and the Situation of
their Affairs and had not been long ago amongst them he says
since Mr Braddocks defeat at the Ohio the French Indian Inter-
est is greatly strengthned, that the Twightwees, lenundactees
and some of the Chikasawas, who were in opposition to the
French, and inclined to the English Interest were intimidated
from any further opposition to the French and were now
under their Influence, The French have them says he under
their Arms, and they must do as they please, therefore Brother
says he I do not think any of them will come to Oswego, as to
the Missisagas part of them I believe are as yet determined to
Act with the Five Nations and may come to Oswego. Last
night the Messengers returned from Onondago, none of the
Southern Indians were yet come, but I find they have sent for
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